A NEW GENERATION OF HEALTH CARE

A new generation of health care has arrived in Western Sydney, with the official opening of Blacktown Hospital’s new seven-storey Clinical Services Building - the centrepiece of the $312 million Stage 1 redevelopment.

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Health Minister Jillian Skinner today inspected the new building, which includes a comprehensive cancer centre with a new radiation therapy unit, as well as units for cardiac, respiratory medicine, aged care, stroke and rehabilitation, neurophysiology, pharmacy, pathology and a women’s health clinic.

“Today is a good day for Western Sydney. We are investing more than $700 million in two building stages at Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals to meet the health care needs of this rapidly growing region for decades to come,” Mr Baird said.

“And we can join the community in celebrating this incredible building, knowing another state-of-the-art building is set to rise next to it.”

Work has begun on the $400 million Stage 2 redevelopment, the focal point of which will be a multi-storey Acute Services Building which will include a new emergency department, operating theatres, an intensive care unit, birthing services and a special care nursery. Early works are progressing well, with piling and excavation commencing later this year. The main works contract will be awarded in early 2017.

Mrs Skinner said the redevelopment combines cutting-edge medical technology with contemporary design and replicates what is happening across the state.

“We are spending $10 billion in our first two terms of government to rebuild NSW hospitals - close to $2.5 billion of it building and upgrading health services across Greater Western Sydney,” Mrs Skinner said.

“This wonderful building is indicative of so many of our projects. By utilising space, light, art and vegetation, as well as modern equipment, we are creating environments where staff want to work and patients and visitors feel comfortable and supported in their recovery.”

Local MPs Tanya Davies, Kevin Connolly and Mark Taylor joined the Premier and Mrs Skinner on a tour of the new Clinical Services Building.